Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia

04(2015)

MILESTONES

The last quarter of 2015 marked consolidations of efforts and some new beginnings in preparation of 2016. UNODC has worked closely with member states in the region in advancing technical cooperation in the areas of counter narcotics, transnational crime and terrorism within the frame work of its new Programme for Central Asia 2015-2019. These were complimented by the advancements in the imple-mentation of Regional and Global Programmes. In September 2015, the UN and the international community adopted the Sustainable Develop-ment Goals (SDGs) – a set of 17 global goals and 169 targets su-persede the Millennium Develop-ment Goals MDGs. This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity that also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larg-

er freedom. It promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustain-able development, provide access to justice for all and build effec-tive, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. The rule of law is a fundamental requirement for human rights, se-curity, peace and sustainable de-velopment. UNODC and partner States in this region have achieved significant progress toward strengthening rule of law. Region-al cooperation among States is being facilitated through multiple platforms in which experiences and lessons learned are being shared among states. The inclusion of drug use preven-tion on the health Goal 3 of the SDGs is also recognition of the fact that drug use and its consequences have on the precious productive populations and are a public

health challenge. UNODC has part-nered with the Ministries of health in Central Asia to develop and im-plement programmes that improve access to evidence based quality treatment and HIV prevention ser-vices and forging partnerships for bringing together communities,

UNODC strengthen partnership in Central Asia and Southern Caucasus

04(2015)

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

schools and families to prevent drug use. Marking International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December 2015, various events were orga-nized by UNODC Programme offic-es in Central Asia in partnership with UNDP, civil society organiza-tions, Governments, to raise awareness about corruption. UNODC and UNDP stressed on the imperative to tackle corruption in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. People from the countries region joined UNODC and UNDP for campaign against corruption that encouraged people from all walks of life to take action

against this crime. With the slogan 'Break the Corruption Chain,' peo-ple were called to tackle this issue by changing their attitudes to-wards the crime. At the 14 December 2015 repre-sentatives from West and Central Asia met at a high-level meeting in Vienna and discussed suitable strategies to counter narcotics and transnational organized crime in Afghanistan and neighboring countries. The Heads of Drug Con-trol Agencies from Central Asia presented their perspectives and called for comprehensive strate-gies and reaffirmed their commit-ment to cooperation. There is in-

creasing concern over the intensi-fied and ever more sophisticated nexus between global drug traf-ficking networks and violent ex-tremist terrorism globally includ-ing in regions in geographical proximity to Central Asia and the Southern Caucuses. The high level Paris Pact meeting in December 2015 also called for redoubled efforts to prevent terrorists from benefiting from transnational or-ganized crime. In the coming year UNODC will continue to support the efforts of the countries to further advance their efforts on drugs, crime and terrorism prevention.

The objective of this meeting was to provide a platform to the senior officials from the relevant countries, CARICC management, and the PLOs to determine

the possible means communication and establishment of an Memorandum of Understaning (MOU) between CARICC and Triangle Initiative countries. This

MOU is expected to promote the role of CARICC and JPC, as well as to set legal grounds for information sharing between these two centers.

Memorandum of Understanding Between CARICC and JPC

"Cooperation is always a two-way road"-

04(2015)

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

The relationship between the State Cus-toms Committee of the Republic of Azer-baijan and the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia has a quite long history which spans for almost a decade. How would you evaluate our interaction in the field of countering drugs? Which issues, in your opinion, should be included into the agen-da in the coming year? Besides having a multifaceted nature, the cooperation with the UNODC Re-gional Office for Central Asia has a principal importance for the Customs Committee. I have always valued our collaboration very positively, and this due to many reasons. As an important part of our coopera-tion, I would like to highlight the Con-tainer Control Program, which is jointly implemented by the World Customs Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In the framework of this Program, very im-portant work is carried out starting from the provision of training and spe-cialized equipment, to the allocation of office premises in Customs points as well as study tours. Sometime ago, UNODC handed over specialized equip-ment for the detection of precursors in the framework of the regional project on precursors control which was imple-mented in Azerbaijan and in the Cen-tral Asian region. Moreover, very pro-ductive cooperation is realized within another project on the standardization and sustainability in the handling and the presentation of data. In this regard, the training on data analysis and the ArcGIS geographic information system has been conducted for analysts from law enforcement agencies. We are interested in broadening our cooperation with the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia. Likewise, I think that more focus should be made on profiling high-risk consignments, ca-nine service, and drug investigation techniques. How would you evaluate the implementa-tion of the UNODC/WCO Global Container Control Program in Azerbaijan? First of all, I would like to underline the

fact that the Government of Azerbaijan welcomed and supported the imple-mentation of the Program as soon as it received the proposal due to its im-portance for our country. Cooperation is always a two-way road. We always felt the support from the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia. During the first phase of Program implementation, the Government of Azerbaijan has assigned the State Cus-toms Committee to act as a focal point. The relevant office premises were allo-cated, while the respective staff trained, in addition to the Baku and Astara Customs Ports selected as pro-ject sites and the Internet connection provided to both. Additionally, portable HazMatID 360 detectors which are aimed at identifying chemical sub-stances were handed over to Customs. A special training on using the portable detectors has been conducted for the Customs officers in December 2014. Starting from 2010, various training courses were held in Baku and Astara. Customs representatives, jointly with other relevant competent authorities from different countries were trained on container profiling; containers’ in-spection technique; container seals and its integrity; rip on/off technique; drug detection; risk indicators; Contain-erComm and CEN systems; prevention of illicit strategic goods trafficking; as well as international best practices. At the same time, the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia organized study tours to Vienna, Panama, Rotterdam, Ashgabat, Almaty and the port of Poti, Georgia in order to strengthen the pro-fessional capacity while introducing the Customs officers to the internation-al best practices. As you know, the ContainerComm net-work is actively used by Program im-plementation team, namely the coordi-nator and other officers to properly fulfill their obligations. The network enables them to study activities and the best practice of other countries, the exchange of information via a secured channel.

The State Customs Committee officers participated in the regional exercise on promoting regional co-operation be-tween Customs and other law enforce-ment agencies to identify high-risk consignments. The Customs represent-atives have entered the information on 10 cases related to the seizures of the illicit drugs into the ContainerComm platform. Combating illicit drug trafficking is a matter of national security. The geo-graphic situation of our country, which is located at the crossroad of Europe and Asia, in addition to the favorable transport arrangements make our country attractive for traffickers. Combating illicit drug trafficking, psychotropic substances and their precursors is one of the most fundamental tasks of the Customs. Thus, the State Program on Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors for 2013 – 2018, which was approved by Mr.Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is being implemented in Azerbaijan. A lot of work in this field has been done and will be done by the Customs Committee. Our priority for 2016 is to foster cooperation with international organizations, other country’s relevant agencies as well as continue to invest in the capacity building of our staff and enhancement of data collection and sharing between law enforcement agencies inside the country and with our counterparts around the world.

Mr. Aydin Aliyev, Lieutenant General, Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic

of Azerbaijan

Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan regarding the collaboration with UNODC

04(2015)

Precursor Incident Communication System

This workshop was planned based on the requests from the law en-forcement officials during the meetings of the Regional Intelli-gence Working Group on Precur-sors (RIWGP), and coordinated by the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries. 33 officials from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Paki-stan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uz-bekistan, Joint Planning Cell (JPC) and CARICC took part in the meet-ing. The agenda of the workshop in-cluded the following topics: use

and latest features of INCB’s auto-mated online system for the ex-change of pre-export notifications (PEN Online) to maximize the us-age of the system in order to pre-vent precursor diversion; use of customs data analysis as an addi-tional tool to support regional and international precursor operations and backtracking investigations; examples of national approaches and best practices and other is-sues. The event was hosted by CARICC, and served as an example of col-laboration and interlinking the local, regional and global initia-tives.

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

Strengthening the Exchange of Information Between the Central Asian Countries

The meeting was attended by the members of the Project Steering Committees of Kyrgyzstan, Tajiki-stan and Uzbekistan, representa-tives of the donor countries, inter-national and regional partners and subject matter experts from the countries of the region.

Mr. Beishenbai Zhunusov, CARICC Director, noted in his welcoming speech that “the intensification of intelligence and information ex-change between law enforcement bodies of the neighboring coun-tries in Central Asia is crucial for combatting drug trafficking from Afghanistan”. In her remarks, Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, noted that “the project has created favorable con-ditions through infrastructure de-velopment, provision of equipment and training of BLO staff for effec-tive cross-border communication and information exchange. The project will focus on BLOs net-working which will foster inter-agency and cross-border coopera-tion in the region”. Participants discussed the progress in the implementation of the BLO project and exchanged information on seizures made by the BLO offic-ers during conducted operations.

04(2015)

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

Liaison Offices Opened on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek Border to Further Promote Cooperation

The first Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border were opened at border crossing points “Dostuk” and “Dustlik,” in the framework of the project “Countering the trafficking of Afghan opi-ates via the northern route by enhancing the capacity of key border crossings points (BCPs) and the establishment of Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) in Central Asia.” Since 2009 UNODC has been implement-ing this project which aimed at countering drug trafficking/organized crime, building mutual trust in the region and improving the infrastructure of border crossing points. Currently there are twelve BLOs opened with the project support, operat-ing on the Kyrgyz-Tajik, Uzbek-Tajik, Tajik-Afghan borders. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Takayuki Koike, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic, expressed hope that the open-ing of BLOs “will promote close coopera-

tion in the field of information exchange and contribute to joint actions against drug-related crime, both at bilateral and regional levels.” Government of Japan provided $1.3 million for this project through the Japan International Coopera-tion Agency (JICA). Border Liaison Offices were refurbished and equipped with the special equipment, training courses were organized for the BLO officers from National Counter Nar-cotics Center, Ministries of Interior, Cus-toms and Border Guards Services. Mr. Bolot Suvanaliev, the First Deputy Chairman of the State Service on Drug Con-trol of Kyrgyzstan, said “Implementation of the project is positive step towards coordi-nation of regional measures for solving the problem of drug trafficking, which does not have national borders.” During the inauguration ceremony, Mr.

Katsutoshi Fushimi, the Chief Representa-tive of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said that the efforts made by the partner-donor agencies will yield results and contribute to achieving the goals put forth by the Central Asian counterparts in countering drugs and other illicit items. Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Repre-sentative in Central Asia congratulated the Governments of Uzbekistan and Kyr-gyzstan on the opening of the first Border Liaison Offices on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek bor-der and thanked the Government of Japan for its support and willingness to help the Central Asian countries to fight drug traf-ficking. Mr. Azizbek Erkaboev, Head of Interna-tional Relations Department of National Information and Analytical Center on Drug Control under the Cabinet of Minis-ters of the Republic of Uzbekistan, under-lined that the project will enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organized crime and drug trafficking by combining organi-zational effort and technical measures. Mr. Otabek Choriev, Head of Andijan Re-gional Department of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan said, “Today we are witnessing a joint work to create conditions for inter-agency cooperation at the border crossing points Dostyk and Dustlik.” He expressed that this continuing cooperation will strength-en the counter narcotics response.

04(2015)

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

“Families and School Together” (FAST) Training in Ashgabat

The training was organized in the framework of the Regional Program for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries, Sub-Program 3. The certified national trainers facili-tated sessions helping strengthen child protective factors as well as

enabling parents to learn how to build a friendly atmosphere in the family. Up to 60 families, 24 teachers and psychologists attended the training which was organized in

three selected schools in Ashgabat. “Sometimes we forget the little im-portant issues on family wellbeing. FAST has reminded us about them” mentioned one of parents.

Third Legislative Review Group Meeting

The meeting, which was facilitated by Mr. Martin Wilde, expert, Mr. Artu-ro Laurent, representative of UNODC’s HQs Terrorism Prevention Branch and Dr. Aleksandr Jumayev, national expert, was conducted by the UNODC project on “Strengthening customs service and other law enforcement agencies in implementation of border trade con-trol in particular export/import re-gimes control”. Mr. Anton Martyniuk,

OSCE expert who was invited to the meeting, gave an overview of the legislative situation in Central Asia and briefed the participants on OS-CE’s work within the UN Security Council Resolution 1540. Participants from the Turkmen State Customs Service, State Service to Protect the Security of a Healthy Society, State Border Service, Minis-try of Internal Affairs, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of De-fense and Prosecutor General’s Office took part in the meeting. The group continued to work on developing recommendations for further consid-eration by the national authorities. The main point of discussion was the compliance of Turkmen national law with the UN Security Council resolu-tion 1540. During the meeting, examples of

international lists of strategic and

dual use goods have been studied, in

addition participants also getting an

opportunity to get acquainted with

the international best practice in this

field.

04(2015)

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

Meeting with Donors in Bishkek

Meeting was jointly organized by the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia and the MFA. Ms. Ashita Mittal, the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, presented the UNODC Programme for Central Asia, 2015-2019 to the donor community. The Programme was developed in close collaboration with the national counterparts. Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni-potentiary of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Takauki Koike, repre-sentatives of diplomatic missions

and embassies, including European Union, Kazakhstan, Russian Federa-tion, USA, Germany, India, Turkey and international organizations working in the country, took part in

the meeting. Participants also dis-cussed issues of better coordination and cooperation in the field of coun-tering drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism.

Coordination is Crucial in the Field of Drug Control

The fourth meeting of the State Co-ordination Committee for the control of narcotic drugs, psychotropic sub-stances and precursors (SCCD) head-ed by Mr. Abdyrakhman Mamataliev, Vice Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Chairman of the SCCD, was held on 2 October in Bish-kek. The meeting, which was sup-ported by the UNODC project “Strengthening the State Service on Drug Control of the Kyrgyz Republic”, was attended by government repre-sentatives, including deputy minis-ters and deputy heads of the law enforcement agencies as well as the Soros Foundation and civil society. . Mr. Abdyrakhman Mamataliev men-

tioned during the meeting that “one of the main tasks of the Coordination Committee is to consolidate the ef-forts of law enforcement in counter-ing drug trafficking. Coordination is crucial for the success in this field and might help the government andpeople to decrease the conse-quences of drugs”. The SCCD members also discussed the implementation of the Anti-drug program of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and its Action Plan

adopted by the Government of Kyr-gyzstan in 2014, as well as the most pressing issues of coordination of activities in the field of drug control, including drug addiction and reduc-tion of negative consequences of drugs. The Committee set up a mechanism on the early warning of new psycho-active substances and adopted measures which are necessary to include them into the list of con-trolled substances.

04(2015)

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

Learning the Best Practices in the Container Control

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia organized a five-day mentorship programme for officers of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan to enhance sustainabil-ity of the programme and equip of-ficers of the CCP Port Control Units of Astrara dry port and Baku seaport

with necessary skills and knowledge. Programme was conducted on 26-30 October 2015 under the UNODC – World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP) hosted by Azeri Government at the Astara Customs Post. Customs officers were trained in pro-

filing and selection of containers in the pre-arrival (imports) and/or pre-departure (exports) phase, using In-ternet, as a source of information and “ContainerComm” as a secured communication tool. The trainees inspected a high-risk container at Astara Custom’s termi-nal in real time. During these exer-cise participants revealed some dis-crepancies between commercial doc-umentation and actual consignment using modern profiling and search techniques in practice. The CCP Regional Segment for Cen-tral Asia and Azerbaijan is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bu-reau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Export Control and Related Bor-der Security (EXBS) Program.

Applying Containers’ Profiling and Search Techniques in Practice

Visit was organized in the framework of the UNODC – WCO Global Container Con-trol Programme. The mission was sup-ported by the World Customs Organiza-tion and the Customs Department of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Poland. Uzbek delegation visited the European Union’s border crossings, the Customs Department in Warsaw, the Customs Training Academy and the Customs Chamber in Biala-Podlaska as well as

Customs border control offices in Malaszewicze (rail control), Koroszczyn (land border control) and Terespol (rail and land border control). Polish counterparts shared experience in risk profiling for containerized shipments with the Uzbek colleagues. The Uzbek delegation was impressed by the existing automated and electronic systems of cus-toms control, including a new “e-Booking TRUCK” system that enables customers carrying out international road transport

operations to reserve the date and the time of the Customs control services in advance, which greatly contributes to trade facilitation. The Uzbek counterparts learned how the Polish Customs success-fully cooperates with the private sector and other stakeholders of the internation-al trade supply chain. It is expected that the mission helps to build good working relations between the Polish and the Uz-bek Customs in the field of illicit drug trafficking and smuggling of prohibited and illicit goods. The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia and Azerbaijan is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Interna-tional Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program.

04(2015)

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

National Policies in Drug Demand Reduction

This was the first time, when 3-days

training on drug use prevention, treat-

ment of drug use disorders and harm

reduction was organised for people

representing non-health sectors. The

workshop was attended by high-level

policy makers from drug control agen-

cies, penitentiary departments, criminal

justice and health sectors as well as

civil society representatives from all

Central Asia countries.

Dr. Gulnur Kulkayeva, Vice-Chairperson

of the Committee for Control of Medi-

cal and Pharmaceutical Activities of the

Ministry of Health and Social Develop-

ment of the Republic of Kazakhstan

noted in her opening remarks that

many decision makers do not have

sufficient information about evidenced

informed treatment of drug use disor-

ders. Therefore, it is important to raise

awareness about effective and bal-

anced drug demand reduction policies

that will ensure that drug dependent

people receive the necessary health

and social services.

The participants increased their skills

to draft, negotiate, advocate and sup-

port drug policies which are in line

with the International drug Conven-

tions as they relate to protecting the

life of people affected by substance use

disorders whilst ensuring safety and

security of the population. The work-

shop facilitated exchange of

knowledge of key demand reduction

issues, as well as raised awareness for

the need to address drug related issues

using a comprehensive, scientific and

human based approach. It was con-

ducted within the framework of

UNODC project “Treating drug depend-

ence and its health consequences:

Treatnet II”.

Representatives of government agencies, international as well as non-governmental organisations working in the field of drug use pre-vention took part in the event. The seminar was organized upon the government’s request to provide as-sistance in the evaluation of drug

prevention interventions implement-ed by the government and to strengthen its effectiveness. The seminar is continuing UNODC’s efforts in the assistance to the Tajik government with the evaluation of drug use prevention activities and the development of recommenda-

tions through two regional work-shops held in the region, including activities implemented under the UNODC global programme on family-based prevention. The coverage and quality of the prevention pro-grammes implemented by the Tajik government were assessed in line with the UNODC International Stand-ards on Drug Use Prevention. The suggested improvements will result in a ‘road map’ exercise for future prevention interventions. The seminar was organised in the framework of the “Prevention of drug use, HIV/AIDS and crime among young people through family skills training programmes in low - and middle-income countries” project in collaboration with the UNODC HQ Health Branch in Vienna.

Assistance to Policy Makers in Improving the Quality of National Drug Prevention Interventions

School Girls Choose a Career in the Police

People who inject drugs contribute

greatest to the epidemic, with more

than a quarter of all HIV cases being in

the criminal justice system. The data

indicate that HIV prevalence and drug

related health problems are high, con-

centrated and, in some countries, rising

in prisons. Only some of the range of

HIV prevention interventions recom-

mended by UNODC/UNAIDS/WHO

have been implemented in the region

with two of the crucial interventions,

needle and syringe programs (NSP)

and opioid substitution therapy (OST),

only available in prisons in Kyrgyzstan.

Tajikistan is implementing a pilot NSP

and preparing for introduction of pris-

on-based OST. Even though one out of

three drug users is a woman only one

out of five drug users in treatment is a

woman. In order to increase awareness

about the specific needs of women

and people in prisons, a regional con-

ference was organized in Dushanbe in

cooperation with the Ministry of Jus-

tice and Ministry of Health of Tajiki-

stan. It was attended by more than 60

participants, representing senior man-

agers and health care experts from the

penitentiary system, researchers, repre-

sentatives from governmental and non

-governmental organizations providing

services to women. The participants

reviewed the current situation and

shared good practice on effective ap-

proaches to addressing HIV risk and

vulnerability among women who use

drugs as well as people in prison set-

tings. Representatives from the na-

tional drug control agencies also in-

formed about the preparations for the

UNGASS on world drug problem.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Roza Otun-bayeva Foundation, UNODC supports the career guidance work among school graduates in order to encour-age youth to consider a career in the police, in order to increase the repre-sentation of women, including ethnic minorities. Out of over 500 applications, 121

participants were selected to take

part in the project.

In November 2015, with the support of the US State Department’s Inter-national Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Af-

fairs (INL), UNODC organised two workshops for police officers aimed at training relevant law enforcement officers in investigation techniques,

evidence examination and interview-ing victims. In total, 40 police offic-ers from all over Kyrgyzstan took part in the training.

Strengthening the response to trafficking in persons

Drug Use and HIV: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women Who Use Drugs and People in Prisons

04(2015)

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

In Kazakhstan in partnership with NGO Aman-saulyk, Republican AIDS Centre and the Ministry of Health and Social Development UNODC conducted public hearings in 10 re-gions of Kazakhstan in April-October 2015. Public hearings in ten cities were attended by more than 1000

decision makers from the municipali-ty, representatives from drug control department, penitentiary system, health care service providers, NGOs, clients of methadone maintenance programmes and their family mem-bers. The programme included a brief overview on HIV situation in Kazakhstan, followed by presenta-tions of the clients of methadone therapy about their personal experi-ence. Simultaneously, a competition

for journalists was launched for the best publication about the individual and public benefits of methadone therapy. It also contributed to 26% increase in the overall number of people receiving methadone therapy in Kazakhstan and allocation of addi-tional funds from the regional budg-et (such as the Municipality of Ak-tobe region decided to allocate 6 million tenge for scaling-up the ther-apy in 2016).

The World AIDS Day in the region

A high-level meeting in Kyrgyzstan on government funding of OST and Needle and syringe exchange pro-gramme was conducted in October 2015 as results of a few-months ad-vocacy work with the main national stakeholders. The meeting was at-

tended by the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Health, Director of Health Insurance Fund, senior officials of Drug Control Agency, Prison Depart-ment of the Ministry of Interior, AIDS Centre, and National Centre for Ad-diction Disorders, representatives of

Global Fund and civil society and international organizations. Govern-ment support for national funding mechanism of the OST was dis-cussed. The Vice Prime Minister will lead and oversee the establishment of this mechanism.

In Uzbekistan 300 copies of Nation-

al Manual on monitoring of human rights with focus on HIV was devel-oped and published in Uzbek and Russian languages in cooperation

with the National Human Rights Centre, National AIDS Centre and NGO “Intilish” which works with people who use drugs (PWID). Man-ual allows monitoring rights of

people who use drugs and people living with HIV/AIDS as well as in-tegrate human rights approach into the respective government agency’s work plans.

In Tajikistan an Action Plan on introduc-tion of OST program in penitentiary system was developed as a result of number of workshops on HIV service

provision for people who inject drugs (PWID) for the law enforcement officials. Manual introducing new training mod-ules for law enforcement was incorpo-

rated into curricula of Police Academy of the Ministry of Interior, Drug Control Agency and National University of Tajik-istan.

04(2015)

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia

30a, Abdulla Kahhor Street

100100, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Tel : (+998 71) 120 80 50

Fax: (+998 71) 120 62 90

Web: www.unodc.org/centralasia

UN family in cooperation with ECO Movement of the Parliament of Uz-bekistan and Hokimyat of Tashkent planted the first UN garden in Cen-tral Asia. At the opening ceremony of the Eco Garden tree planting Mr. Stefan

Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator mentioned that “2015 is the year of a new vision for the next 15 years – the Sustainable Development Goals. There is a stronger recognition than ever before that economic growth cannot happen without taking into

account the environmental dimen-sion. As the saying goes, “we have not inherited the world from our an-cestors, we have borrowed the world from our children”, who deserve to get handed over this precious planet in a good shape. In this context what could be more symbolic than plant-ing trees?” More than 300 trees were planted in

the Alisher Navoi park of Tashkent.

th

Mass media representatives, UN heads of agencies took part in it. UN Day was a chance to recognize how much the UN contributes day to day to peace, development, humanitarian issues and human rights. In Uzbeki-stan the main line of work is on de-velopment: intricately connected to MDG agenda that is coming to an end this year. Over the last 22 years the UN delivered technical assis-tance to Uzbekistan of more than

USD 434 million, to support econom-ic, governance, healthcare and edu-cation reforms. UN also supports efforts to counter drug trafficking, to protect the cultural heritage and environment and to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. “The UN General Assembly has man-dated the UN system to become more coherent, effective and effi-cient, - said Mr. Stefan Prielsner, UN

Resident Coordinator. - We believe that a more coherent UN is a strong-er UN that can deliver on its man-date – hence we will go ahead as one UN. Media is a very important partner for us. Today, while we are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the UN, let us pledge together to live up to our founding ideals and work together for peace, develop-ment and human rights”.

One UN – A Stronger UN

04(2015)